Travel Looks Forward to 2022

Dec 01, 2021 | Aon

A lot happened in the world of travel in 2021 – a lot more than we could have imagined on January 1. Airports filled. Cruise lines set sail. Borders reopened. And we remembered why we missed travel so much during the long months of pandemic restrictions.

So what’s on tap for 2022? We see some key trends shaping how we plan and experience travel:

Planning will be back in style. Throughout the pandemic, last minute and shorter lead bookings have dominated as travelers tried to minimize their risk of cancellations. But the industry is now seeing that booking window slowly expand – driven by a range of factors, from increased vaccination rates to relaxed cancellation policies. As the travel industry moves toward pre-pandemic volumes and travelers begin to take more expensive and longer haul trips, we see this window continue to grow.
International travelers will get their wishes granted. If you were planning that bucket list trip to New Zealand before the global pandemic declaration, you might want to dust off your itinerary. It’s just one of many nations easing restrictions on foreign visitors, paving the way for international travel to make a recovery in 2022. Just expect these destinations to proceed with caution; visitor entry requirements, like mandatory travel insurance, are likely to remain in place at least through the end of the global pandemic declaration and potentially beyond.
Consumers will be ready for a little adventure. The thought of staying at home to binge season two of Tiger King has lost its sparkle. We’re done watching passively – we want to be doing actively. So instead of lounging by the pool and taking it easy, travelers will be looking for exciting excursions to immerse themselves in local culture, unique experiences and off the beaten path locations. Apart from the destinations themselves, people are craving different types of travel. Tours, cruises and more active modes of transport will satisfy these adventure-hungry tourists.

The Aon Travel Takeaway? “Travel will continue its much-anticipated comeback in 2022 as the destinations and attractions we’ve missed welcome visitors back,” said Beth Godlin, president of the Aon Affinity Travel Practice. “But today’s consumers will make their travel plans with an increased focus on protecting their investment and their health and safety – a lesson of the pandemic that will have a long-term impact on the way we see the world.”

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